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24 May 2006.
Over at The Guardian's Comment is Free web site this week, Bono, the egomaniacal and delusional shade-wearing front-man of unaccountably popular Irish 80s has-been stadium rock band U2 declared that he is 'proud to be working with Gap and Nike to raise money to fight Aids'. The context was his announcement of a new initiative - Red Products - which allows consumers to buy products such as phones and shoes, a (small) proportion of the revenues of which will be directed to the Global Fund to fight AIDS.
I don't know about you, but I find this sort of thing pretty offensive and objectionable. Corporations such as Gap and Nike are well known for their appalling employment practices in the developing world. Does Bono not understand that initiatives like this only assist these companies to make even more profit out of poverty, whilst covering them with a veneer of radicalism and progressiveness they have done nothing to earn or deserve?
In fairness, over on the discussion, opinions are pretty much split over whether or not Red is a good thing. But I know where my support goes and it isn't to monstrously wealthy rock stars meddling with issues they clearly don't understand in order to increase their own profiles and indulge their saving-the-world fantasies. Bono could wield his undoubted influence in support of positive campaigns that might make a genuine difference, but instead he continues to choose to cozy up to the very corporations and corrupt world leaders who are so responsible for the ongoing crises of health and poverty in Africa.
23 January 2006.
I've had no time to post recently due to the start of yet another new venture - running a stall at the farmers market in Newbridge, my local town. It's a fairly new market having opened just before Christmas, so customers are still a bit thin on the ground. Nonetheless, it's a fantastic development for what, lets face it, is a fairly dreary old-style Irish country town which is rapidly turning into a Dublin dormitory.
The place desperately needed something like this, and it's the least I can do to get involved and hopefully help to make it work. I need to make some money too, but if I can break even to begin with that's OK.
Last week I served up cashew nut & wild mushroom wellington, gingered potato spring rolls, spanish tortilla, bhel poori, shoyu roasted sunflower seeds, panforte and florentines. It took me most of the week to research, finalize, shop and prepare, which obviously can't go on. But on the plus side, I sold some of everything (except th e bhel poori - I don't think Newbridge is quite ready for Mumbai street food yet). This week I'm going to do pretty much the same, with the addition of a baked chocolate fudge marbled cheesecake, and nachos instead of the bhel poori. I'm ge tting hungry now... time to go and eat.
10 January 2006.
Big respect to Channel 4 for last night's 'The Root of all Evil' documentary presented by Richard Dawkins.
This timely and refreshing addition to the shedules has the courage - rare in today's world - to stand up and call organized religion what it is: a bunch of fairy stories, directly or indirectly responsible for much of humanity's hatred, intolerance and wickedness. Dawkins himself is a University of Oxford scientist with an impressive array of credentials and publications to his credit. Unfortunately his confrontational style is unlikely to win many converts from among the ranks of the believers, but on the other hand it's hard to imagine any shrinking violets being prepared to stick their heads above the parapet in these increasingly fundamentalist times. Somebody had to do it.
For anybody feeling disillusioned and alienated by modern mainstream religions, might I suggest as an alternative the wholly laudable Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster. If you're in luck, He might extend His noodly appendage towards you
2 January 2006.
A happy new year to all from the silicon web.
I'm just back from putting together a top New Year party - the Return of the Mob. This was a kind of follow up event to the Mobsters Ball, which we promoted in January 2003 over in Ennis, Co. Clare. That one was a much bigger event in terms of numbers, but we put just as much energy into the Return, which had the advantage of being closer to home for Andy & Sonja (two of the main organizers). At their wonderful place overlooking the Burren they have a huge outbuilding which has been crying out to be used as a party venue and this year we finally got it together. A brilliant night was had by all, especially young Nick who tore up the dance floor all night.
Andreas kicked off the night with an eclectic set of mixed Ska, Dub and European electronica and dance which really got the crowd moving.
Then after the midnight celebrations Andy played a blinding mixed set, which included a fair few old school classics sprinkled with some current indie hits. Just about every tune was a crowd pleaser, and the place just about hit the roof when he dropped the K Klass classic 'Let Me Show You Love'.
The indefatigable Big Chris finished off the night with a long, loud and kicking set which kept everybody up until dawn.
Thanks and respect to Paul for the lights, Andreas for the PA, Chris, Dahlia, Adam and Nicola for wonderfully creative decor, and Sam, Kate and Graham for looking after the bar. And to everyone who came, thanks for making it a top night - hope you all have a happy, healthy and propsperous 2006. And that last wish, of course, goes out to everyone everywhere.
22 December 2005.
Despite appearances this is not in fact a cricket blog, nor a health one.
I've been playing quite a bit of chess lately, especially over at Gameknot. I used to get beaten regularly when I was younger, but haven't played in years. Then - you know how it is - I met some guy at a festival, got talking about online chess, and now I'm a confirmed addict.
The thing that grips, amazes and horrifies me about chess is the sheer number of possibilities. With the help of an electronic simulation board and far more time than is healthy, I can manage to see ahead maybe four or five moves on a good day. Top players seem able to visualize the whole game with no aids of any kind. Imagine playing blindfold, as decent players often do in exhibitions... what kind of memory does that take?
Being a total geek, I started reading up on the subject once I started playing again, and stumbled on The grandmaster and the rookie in the Guardian. It's quite a revelation: even I can see where the rookie is going wrong! I must sign up over at chessgames.com and give him a game. If anyone wants to give me a game, you can find me at Gameknot under the handle rockbeer.